By Kev Moyé
News-Times Staff
EMERSON – The Junction City Dragons were expecting an extreme challenge Thursday at Emerson.
But, coach Kendall Hutcheson’s squad didn’t plan on suffering their first loss of the season. However, that’s exactly what happened.
The Pirates topped Junction City 78-77 in a thrilling overtime affair.
Throughout the game, the two combatants took turns tossing haymakers at one another as the momentum swings were constant. The difference in this contest simply came down to Emerson competing with more composure during the key moments of the game.
Junction City (17-1) actually had a golden opportunity to claim a victory late in the fourth. But, the ball just didn’t fall in the hole.
With the score scored knotted at 66 and 15.8 seconds left in the game, Emerson got the ball in play following a timeout.
Immediately, Pirate guard Tavion Revels drove toward the basket and put up a shot. But, the ball bounced hard off the iron as Junction City’s Tyrus Grayson grabbed the rebound. He then instantly heaved the ball up the floor to Javontay Rogers who missed a shot from point-blank range. However, Jamario Bell was there to tap the ball back toward the goal. But, the ball softly rolled around the rim before falling to the floor with no time remaining in regulation.
“I would’ve loved to have made that lay-up at the end of (the game),” Hutcheson said. “The shot barely went off the rim. That’s just the way it goes sometimes. If we would’ve handled our business and made shots earlier in the game … then it’s not an issue.”
Naturally, during the extra session, the game reached its zenith in regard to excitement and intensity.
The turning point of OT was a hotly contested decision by the officiating crew.
With just under three minutes showing on the clock, the Dragons led 68-67 as Bell was driving down the base-line toward the goal. But, his process was impeded by Emerson guard Jaleen Jackson who astutely took the charge. That was the fifth and final foul on the 6-6 post-player.
When realizing that he would have to leave the game Bell showed his frustration as he hit the floor with both hands. Soon after, the officials called the senior for a technical foul.
Revels then made two free throws to give the host team a 69-68 advantage. The highly skilled guard later pushed the Emerson lead out to 71-68 when he drained a mid-range jumper.
“They end up getting three points on that possession,” the coach said. “We’re up one and then we’re trailing by two. Anytime that happen it hurts.”
After Junction City failed to score on its ensuing possession, Emerson increased its advantage.
Jackson made a nice cut to the basket on a set play where he would eventually receive the ball and place it in the goal, expanding the Emerson lead to 73-68 with 1:49 left to play.
At this juncture of the game, Hutcheson asked for a timeout. But, Junction City didn’t quit – and because of its resilience received a chance to walk away with a dramatic win.
With 5.1 seconds remaining in the game and Emerson ahead 78-77, Revels was at the line with two chances to make a free throw.
But, he missed both shots and the second miss was rebounded by Grayson as Hutcheson instantly asked for a timeout with 4.2 seconds left on the clock.
Following the break, Junction City got the ball in play to Grayson who quickly dribbled up the floor. The 6-5 junior advanced a few steps shy of the free-throw line and released a mid-range shot that was on-line, but bounced softly off the rim as time expired.
The Pirates and their boisterous home crowd then went into an exuberant celebration as they earned an entertaining 1-point triumph over Junction City.
“If we make lay-ups when we have them available (throughout the game), we don’t need that last shot,” a visibly frustrated Hutcheson acknowledged.
Junction City, which led by as much as 10 in the first half, received a team-high 19 points from Grayson. Keandre Evans scored 18, Randall Holyfield had 15 points and Bell amassed 14 points and 17 rebounds.
As for Emerson, which led 47-46 after three quarters of action, it was led by Revels’ 29 points while Jackson compiled 24.
Strong 53,
Parkers Chapel 40
STRONG - The Bulldogs outscored Parkers Chapel 26-7 in the third quarter and pulled away to a league win at home. Strong improved to 10-6 overall and 3-4 in 7AA-East action. The Trojans fell to 4-17, 0-9.
Strong led 20-19 at the half but was on top 46-26 going into the final period.
Javonte Newton paced the Bulldogs with 18 points. Malik Lee scored 16 while Javonte Foreman scored 11.
Colby McNabb led PC with 11.
The Trojans won the junior boys game 47-23. Cannon Morgan paced PC with 18 while Jedarius Dixon scored nine for Strong.
The junior Trojans improved to 13-3 on the season.